When planning your trip to China, a key consideration is choosing the most suitable entry airport. Beijing and Shanghai have extensive flight networks, making them reliable choices for long-haul travelers. Qingdao and Jinan are more convenient for travelers from East Asia, though flights may be less frequent compared to the first two airports.
The table below summarizes the core features of four major entry airports, helping you quickly get an overview:
| Entry Airport | Main Customer Sources | Key Advantages | Flight Availability | Local Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) | USA, Europe, Russia, Middle East | ✅ Widest international route network ✅ National gateway with abundant direct flights ✅ Well-established transfer services |
High frequency, many options | ✅ Airport express to city ✅ Taxi/Ride-hailing convenient |
| Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) | USA, South America, Europe, Southeast Asia | ✅ 24-hour customs clearance ✅ Asia-Pacific hub, convenient transfers ✅ Multiple new convenience services |
High frequency, especially international flights | ✅ Maglev / Metro Line 2 ✅ Taxi/Ride-hailing convenient |
| Qingdao Jiaodong Airport (TAO) | Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia | ✅ Strong Korea-Japan flight connections ✅ International through flights, baggage to final destination |
Mostly Asian regional flights, fewer direct flights to Europe/US | ✅ Metro Line 8 ✅ High-speed rail to major Shandong cities |
| Jinan Yaoqiang Airport (TNA) | Korea, Southeast Asia, some Central Asia | ✅ Provincial capital, convenient transport ✅ Eastern Airlines “Airport Pass” coverage |
Fewer international flights, domestic transfer usually required | ✅ Taxi/Ride-hailing ✅ High-speed rail connecting within the province and nationwide |
After understanding the general overview, here is a detailed guide for each airport, including flights, ticketing, and pickup details.
Flight Guide: As China’s national gateway, PEK offers a vast number of transcontinental direct flights. Travelers from the USA (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles), Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt), the Middle East (Dubai, Doha), and Moscow can find convenient direct flights.
Ticketing & Pickup: It is recommended to book tickets through the airline’s official website or a reliable travel platform. For pickups, confirm with the traveler that they will arrive at Terminal 2. You can wait at the arrivals hall or pre-arrange a vehicle for them.
Flight Guide: As another global hub, PVG offers extensive international routes, especially convenient for travelers from the USA, Europe, and Southeast Asia (e.g., Singapore, Bangkok). It may also be preferred for some South American connections via transit hubs like São Paulo.
Ticketing & Pickup: Booking recommendations are the same as above. PVG now offers 24-hour customs clearance, meaning even late-night or early-morning arrivals can pass through quickly. Pickup is straightforward at the arrivals floor of the relevant terminal.
Flight Guide: Qingdao excels in East Asia regional flights, particularly to Korea (Seoul) and Japan (Tokyo, Osaka). There are also some flights to Central Asia (e.g., Almaty).
Ticketing & Pickup: Qingdao is recommended for travelers from Korea or Japan. The airport provides “through check-in” service, allowing passengers to check in baggage at the origin for direct transfer without retrieving it in Qingdao. Pickup should be arranged at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 arrivals hall.
Flight Guide: Jinan has fewer direct international flights, mainly to Korea (Seoul) and Southeast Asia (e.g., Bangkok, Singapore). Travelers from other regions usually need domestic connections via Beijing, Shanghai, or Qingdao.
Ticketing & Pickup: For cross-airline transfers (e.g., Delta from the USA to Shanghai, then connecting via Eastern Airlines to Jinan), travelers can use Eastern Airlines’ “Airport Pass” service for baggage check-through and airport shuttle service. Jinan airport is relatively small, making pickups more convenient.
Jinan is also the nearest airport for procurement-related activities, making it particularly practical.
We hope this detailed guide helps you better plan your clients’ trips. If your clients have specific departure cities or special requirements, we are happy to provide more tailored analysis.
